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"House music is full of positive spirit. Music is wonderful. I don't think dancing is evil. It's about who you are and how you treat others"

Brothers ' Vibe - aka Tony Rodriguez - might be the most famous DJ you've never heard of. Born, reared and still at home in New Jersey he remembers Larry Levan and Tony Humphries. He played at the Paradise Garage and Studio 54. He's been releasing records for over 15 years and is about to revive his SOM Underground record label.

So why is this house music foot-soldier still working 10-hour days in an auto-parts plant? And what fuels this devout Christian's devotion to the sex and sin saturated party scene? We ask and Tony explains… "it's all for the love of music." 

What's your background?
"My family is from Puerto Rico so I grew up listening to salsa, soul and stuff like Barry White. We lived in a rough neighbourhood, in the New Jersey projects. There were race riots when I was growing up. My parents were quite strict. I wasn't allowed out of the house, so I collected records instead."

When did you discover your passion for music?
"I started collecting records when I was seven. I bought my first decks when I was 11. DJing came natural. I remember trying to mix and suddenly realising everything happened in fours. I guess it was something I was born with."  

Were you playing in every spare minute, as a kid?
"Not really. I started working at the local flower shop when I was 11. I got to be a pretty good florist. By the time I was 14 I was managing the place. I can still do a nice flower arrangement!"

How did you start DJing professionally?
"My cousin was a big promoter. He was friends with Jellybean Benitez, Tony Humphries, Larry Levan, etc. When I was 15 I started working at a record store, so I got to meet a lot of these guys and it grew from there."

You've played all the classic clubs - Tunnel Club, Garage, Studio 54: what do you remember most about them?
"The energy was intense. Today it's nice and people love to party, but it's nothing like the music from then. The love of the sound. You were able to mix different things… you could play a reggae track, a soulful track, disco or a new wave track. Music has become quite cliquey." 

You worked with Larry Levan - what was he like?
"He wasn't the smoothest DJ but he was popping all the new stuff. He could move a crowd."

You've been out of the limelight for a few years… what happened?
"The business loves and hates you, but I've always been there. I remember when New York house was big, then it was Chicago house, Italo, German. Lately I'm getting a lot of attention again, which is nice."  

"I work 55 hours a week as General Manager at a metal manufacturing company, and travel another 15 hours. I'm at a crossroads right now, between my dreams and desires and everyday life..."

You're reviving your SOM Underground label - why now?
"I have new credibility. I'm gigging internationally now. It wasn't really something I sought out but it's happening. Now I push forward more than I did, I'm looking for the exposure, I'm networking more. In God 's time everything happens." 

What's changed to bring this about?
"With the internet, even though the music is segmented there is a better focus. It's easier to meet like-minded artists. The network is tighter. I've got Ricardo Villalobos and Luciano playing my records. I'm working with guys like Casper from Spain and Anthony Collins from Paris… it's creating awareness." 

What artists do you respect at the moment? Who's inspiring you?
"I listen to everybody from Louie Vega to Frank Roger to Dennis Ferrer. But when it comes to producing I'm focusing on me. I don't want to chase the market. I'm not a hit record guy."  

You still have a day job, right?
"I work 55 hours a week as General Manager at a metal manufacturing company, and travel another 15 hours. I'm at a crossroads right now, between my dreams and desires and everyday life. I want my music career but I have a six-year-old daughter. Making sure she's secure is the number one priority. You have to do things proper." 

Is it difficult to find time for music?
"I work late at night or on the weekends. The good thing is [my schedule] forces you to be focused. I'm more positive in what I want. Things come quicker. I always want to move forward. As a producer I haven't even touched on 25% of what I want to do." 

A lot of the leading minimal artists are South American - what is it about Latin culture that has allowed it to give birth both to soulful house and to minimal? Are they two sides of the same coin?
"It's a basic, funky groove. That's where it all starts. You strip back salsa, or whatever, and that's what you get, boom, the groove. It's what makes the whole thing intoxicating."  

How do you feel being a Christian relates to the club scene? What about the sex and drugs?
"House music is full of positive spirit. Music is wonderful. I don't think dancing is evil. It's about who you are and how you treat others, that's what you need to concern yourself with in life. I had my incidence of drugs and hanging out, all that good stuff, but I don't do that now. I can't do that now. You can't be successful if you're not clear."

Brothers' Vibe has dates across Europe this summer, see www.myspace.com/djtonyrodriguez for details. Look out for the return of SOM Underground records and forthcoming Brothers' Vibe collaborations with Anthony Collins and Casper.

www.brothersvibe.com  | www.mixxrecords.com  | www.myspace.com/djtonyrodriguez